Jackson kicking off holiday season

Jackson will begin the holiday season this weekend with a variety of Christmas events throughout the city.

A Christmas parade, visits with Santa Claus, festive lights and holiday shopping are activities Jackson Chamber of Commerce executive director Marybeth Williams hopes will draw more people into the city Saturday.

"This is the first time for all-day events taking place in Jackson," Williams said. The Chamber's Retail Committee coordinated the weekend festivities encourage shopping in Jackson.

"We really wanted to get a holiday atmosphere in the city and have more of a reason for people to come to Jackson," Williams said.

The main event of the weekend will be the annual Christmas parade, sponsored by the Jackson Jaycees. Beginning at 2 p.m Saturday, at the intersection of South High and Madison streets, the parade will travel north on High to Main Street and end on Farmington Road.

The parade theme is "Cowboy Christmas."

"It's seems like this theme has been one suggested for several years, and so this year we decided to go with it," said Beth Bollinger, parade chairman.

Bollinger said she expects close to 80 entries in the parade this year. The Jaycees award cash prizes to three floats.

Jackson High School's drama club will present Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

At the Oliver House, 224 E. Adams St., and TLC Bed and Breakfast & Wellness Center, 203 Bellevue St., holiday tours will be given at various times on Saturday. Williams said candlelight tours will begin at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at each of the homes.

This year will be the first time for the "Sing-Along Messiah" at New McKendree United Methodist Church, 225 S. High St., on Saturday. For anyone wishing to participate, a one-time rehearsal will begin at 3 p.m. The concert will start at 4 p.m.

"I think this will be a really fun weekend in Jackson," Williams said. "It's going to be a good time to come together to celebrate the holiday season."

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 131

List of events taking place in Jackson this weekend

Friday

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: NASCAR simulator at Bank of Missouri, 233 W. Jackson Blvd.

7 p.m.: "A Christmas Carol" at Jackson High School auditorium.

Saturday

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: NASCAR simulator at Bank of Missouri.

10 a.m to 5 p.m.: Tree Fields and Christmas Shop at Meier Horseshoe Pines.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Excelsior Club Annual Chili Day at the Masonic Lodge.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday: Holiday Open House at TLC Bed and Breakfast & Wellness Center, 203 Bellevue St.

2 p.m: Parade.

Following parade to 7 p.m.,: Christmas Open House at the Oliver House.

Following pParade to 8 p.m.: Santa's House on the courthouse square.

4 p.m.: Sing-a-Long Messiah at New McKendree Methodist Church.

5 p.m.: Girl Scouts Festival of Lights at the courthouse square.

5 p.m.: Lighting of the "Lights of the Season" display in city park.

Saturday: Holiday Open House at participating downtown and uptown merchants.

7 p.m.: "A Christmas Carol" at Jackson High School auditorium.